Protest Over Closed Meeting Heard

Complainants Say Law Violated

ROCKY HILL — The state Freedom of Information Commission held a hearing Monday into a complaint that Rocky Hill's economic development commission improperly closed a meeting to the public.

Councilwoman Barbara Surwilo, former economic development commission member Scott Coleman and developer Richard Vicino filed the complaint in February after

the commission barred the public from its discussion of a proposal to build housing for senior citizens on the site of an industrial park.

Vicino's company, Beach Investments, LLC, had also submitted proposal to develop the land. He,Surweilo and Coleman contended that according to the state law, the meeting should not have been closed to the public.

The complainants and the town offered differing interpretations on the section of the law in question.

Coleman and Surwilo argue that a publicized discussion of the proposal would not have raised the price of the property.

But the economic development commission disagreed, said Town Attorney John Bradley, who is representing the town in the case.

``From the commission's point of view, it was price-sensitive,'' Bradley said Monday.

Economic development commission Chairman Glenn King, who testified at the hearing Monday, said the commission was in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act because the law allows executive sessions to discuss the sale of town land.

The complainants are concerned that the closed-door session could set a precedent of secrecy.

``We want to make sure it's used in a proper manner where it benefits the public,'' Vicino said.

The commission contends its action was ``completely within the provisions'' of FOI regulations and conducted ``in a manner consistent with them,'' King said.

Bradley and Coleman said they expect a FOI hearing officer to propose a decision on the complaint within several weeks. The proposal will go to the full FOIC, which will make a final ruling.

The complainants did not ask the FOIC to impose a monetary penalty on the EDC, but Surwilo said she would like the EDC to nullify the report it produced in the session.

The three complainants filed separately, but the FOIC consolidated their cases.